Wall mounted washing machine and rear panel of the same

ABSTRACT

The disclosure relates to a wall mounted washing machine. In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, the wall mounted washing machine includes a rear panel mounted on a wall body; a tub supported on the rear panel, the tub being filled with wash water; a front panel having an opening formed therein and installed in the tub; a drum rotatably installed in the tub; a cover installed on the front panel and covering the front panel; a door rotatably coupled to the cover for opening or closing the laundry inlet of the cover; a cabinet coupled to the rear panel and surrounding the tub; a driving motor provided on a front surface of the rear panel; a first pulley connected to the driving motor; and a second pulley connected through a belt to the first pulley and having spokes of a flat shape.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION

The present disclosure claims benefit to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2017-0074620, filed on Jun. 14, 2017, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure relates to a wall mounted washing machine and a rear panel thereof.

BACKGROUND

A washing machine is a device for separating contaminants from washed fabric (laundry) using wash water and detergent, wherein the contaminants may be separated from the washed fabric by the chemical action of the detergent dissolved in the wash water and the mechanical action of the wash water and an inner basket. Such washing machines may be categorized into a top loading type washing machine, a front loading type washing machine, and a combined type washing machine combined with the top loading type and the front loading type, depending on the method of loading the laundry.

In recent years, wall mounted washing machines have been introduced, which may be installed in narrow spaces such as bathrooms and toilets. In general, the wall mounted washing machines employ the front loading type for better miniaturization.

For example, the wall mounted washing machine may include a cabinet that forms an exterior, a tub provided in the cabinet filled with wash water, a drum rotatably installed in the tub and accommodating the laundry, a drive unit providing power to the drum, a water supply unit for supplying the wash water to the tub, and a drain unit for discharging the wash water from the tub to the outside of the cabinet.

In order to increase the washing capacity of the wall mounted washing machine, the size of the drum for receiving the laundry should be increased. However, as the size of the drum increases, the size of the cabinet, as well as the size of the tub surrounding the drum, will also increase, thus increasing the overall size of the wall mounted washing machine. That is, there is a disadvantage in that the advantages of the miniaturized wall mounted washing machine may disappear.

SUMMARY

In view of the foregoing, embodiments of the disclosure provide a wall mounted washing machine capable of increasing the internal capacity of the drum while maintaining the overall size thereof.

Embodiments of the present invention include a washing machine comprising: a rear panel operable to be mounted on a wall; a tub supported on the rear panel, the tub operable to contain wash water; a front panel having an opening formed therein and installed in the tub; a drum coupled in the tub and operable to rotate therein; a cover on the front panel and covering the front panel; a door coupled to the cover and operable to selectively open and close a laundry inlet of the cover; a cabinet coupled to the rear panel and surrounding the tub; a driving motor disposed on a front surface of the rear panel; a first pulley coupled to the driving motor; and a second pulley coupled through a belt to the first pulley and comprising spokes of a flat shape.

Embodiments include the above and wherein the rear panel comprises a plurality of rear surface ribs on a rear surface thereof, wherein the rear surface ribs comprise: first rear surface ribs disposed on an outer circumferential side; and a plurality of second rear surface ribs of lower height than the first rear surface ribs and disposed on a center side of the rear surface of the rear panel.

Embodiments include the above and wherein the rear surface ribs comprise third rear surface ribs disposed between the first rear surface ribs and the second rear surface rib and having a height that is relatively lower than a height of the second rear surface ribs. Embodiments include the above and wherein the second pulley comprises: a hub disposed to surround a drum rotation shaft coupled to a spider on a rear surface of the drum; a plurality of spokes extending radially from the hub; and a ring portion connecting ends of the plurality of spokes in the circumferential direction.

Embodiments include the above and wherein the plurality of spokes of the second pulley comprises: a plurality of pulley reinforcing ribs on a rear surface of the plurality spokes; and smooth surfaces formed on front surfaces of the plurality of spokes. Embodiments include the above and wherein the plurality of spokes is formed with an asymmetrical cross section by the plurality of reinforcing ribs and the smooth surfaces. Embodiments include the above and wherein the smooth surfaces of the spokes are disposed on positions corresponding to the second rear surface ribs and spaced apart, and the second rear surface ribs are not in contact with the smooth surfaces of the front surfaces of the plurality of spokes of the second pulley.

Embodiments include the above and wherein the second pulley comprises: a coupling hole coupled to the drum rotation shaft which is operable for rotating the drum; a fastening member adapted for fixing the drum rotation shaft and the second pulley to each other; and a fastening groove disposed on a peripheral portion of the coupling hole and on which a head portion of the fastening member is seated. Embodiments include the above and wherein the fastening member does not protrude out of the second pulley. Embodiments include the above and further comprising a bearing pivotally supported to rotate the drum rotation shaft for rotating the drum and wherein the bearing is insert injection-molded on the rear panel and integrally provided therewith.

Embodiments of the present invention also include a rear panel of a wall mounted washing machine having a tub on its front surface for containing wash water, the rear panel comprising: a driving motor on the front surface operable to provide a driving force a plurality of rear surface ribs on a rear surface thereof; and a pulley operable to receive the driving force from the driving motor through another pulley and a belt, wherein the plurality of rear surface ribs comprises: a plurality of first rear surface ribs provided at a same height; and a plurality of second rear surface ribs protruding at a relatively lower to same height than the first rear surface ribs, and wherein spokes of the pulley are provided at positions corresponding to the second rear surface ribs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present disclosure will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a wall mounted washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a view showing a state in which the door of FIG. 1 is opened.

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the washing machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the washing machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the drum, the tub, the rear panel, and the second pulley in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion taken along a line A-A shown in FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

In addition, in the description of the present disclosure, the detailed description of known functions and configurations incorporated herein will be omitted if they would unnecessarily obscure the features of the subject matter of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a wall mounted washing machine according to an embodiment of the disclosure, FIG. 2 is a view showing a state where a door of FIG. 1 is opened, FIG. 3 is a rear view perspective view of a washing machine of FIG. 1, FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the washing machine of FIG. 1, FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the drum, the tub, the rear panel, and the second pulley of FIG. 1, and FIG. 6 is a sectional view of FIG. 1. In addition, FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion taken along a line A-A shown in FIG. 5.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 7, a wall-mounted washing machine 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a cabinet 100 having a front surface and a rear surface opened and forming an outer appearance, a door 200 disposed on one side of the cabinet 100 and for opening or closing the opened front surface of the cabinet 100, a cover 300 connected to the door 200 for opening and closing the door 200, a front panel 400 disposed on the rear surface of the cover 300, a detergent container 500 housed in one side of the front panel 400 and accommodating detergent and conditioner, a drum 600 in which laundry is stored, a tub 700 which surrounds the drum 600 and is filled with wash water, and a rear panel 800 mounted on the wall. Here, the rear surface means a surface close to the wall, and the front surface means a surface opposite to the rear surface.

Specifically, the cabinet 100 may be provided in an empty form. Also, the cabinet 100 may include a power button 102 for controlling a power supply, a cover connection unit 104 connected to the cover 300, and a rear panel connection unit 106 connected to the rear panel 800.

The power button 102 may be provided on one side of the cabinet 100 to control whether the washing machine 10 is turned on or off. The power button 102 may be provided on one side of the front surface of the cabinet 100 to be easily controlled by the user. Here, in this embodiment, the power button 102 is provided on the lower surface of the front surface of the cabinet 100. However, the position of the power button 102 is not limited thereto, and may be provided on the left or right of the front surface of the cabinet 100, for example, or in other well known positions.

The cabinet 100 may include a cover connection unit 104 connected to the cover 300. The cover connection unit 104 may correspond to an edge of the opened front surface of the cabinet 100 and may have a smaller diameter than the diameter of the cover 300 so that the cover 300 is not detached from the cabinet 100. Specifically, the cover 300 may be inserted into the cabinet 100 from the rear surface to the front surface side. In this case, since the diameter of the cover connection unit 104 is smaller than the diameter of the cover 300, the cover 300 may be fitted into the cover connection unit 104, so that the cover 300 may not be separated from the cabinet 100.

The cabinet 100 may include a rear panel connecting unit 106 connected to the rear panel 800. The rear panel connecting unit 106 may correspond to the opened rear edge of the cabinet 100 and may have a shape that corresponds to the shape of the rear panel 800. The cabinet 100 may be bolted to the rear panel 800 and for this purpose, a plurality of bolt fastening holes may be formed in the rear panel connecting portion 106

Meanwhile, the door 200 may be provided on the front surface of the cabinet 100. The door 200 is provided for loading and unloading laundry, and may include a door inner frame 230 and a door outer frame 240. Specifically, the door inner frame 230 and the door outer frame 240 may be bolted in such way to offer a predetermined space therebetween, and each may be provided in a circular shape having a diameter corresponding to the cover connection unit 104. In this case, the door inner frame 230 may be in contact with the cover connection unit 104, and the door inner frame 230 and the door outer frame 240 may completely shield the cover 300 connected to the cabinet 100.

The door inner frame 230 and the door outer frame 240 may include a door hinge connection unit 232 for connection with the cover 300. The door hinge connecting unit 232 is provided at one side of the door inner frame 230 and the door outer frame 240 and may provide a space for accommodating a door hinge 360 of the cover 300 to be described later.

A display 202 may be provided in a space between the door inner frame 230 and the door outer frame 240. The display 202 is capable of outputting predetermined information to the user, and is provided with a front surface exposed to the outside of the door outer frame 240. That is, the door outer frame 240 may include a hole (not shown) or may be formed of a transparent material so that the display 202 may be viewed. In this case, the display 202 may include a touch panel capable of inputting or outputting information, and the user may view the panel to confirm information such as the operating state through the display 202, and also use the panel to perform operations of the wall-mounted washing machine 10 via touch interactions. For example, the user may select a process such as washing and rinsing of the laundry by performing a touch interaction with respect to the display 202, and confirm the remaining washing time or the like through the display 202.

The display 202 exposed to the exterior of the door outer frame 240 and the door outer frame 240 may be protected through a protective glass 204. The protective glass 204 is transparently provided on the front surface of the door outer frame 240 so that the user may identify the display 202. In this case, the protective glass 204 may be provided with the same diameter as the door inner frame 230 and the door outer frame 240.

A hole (not shown) may be provided on one side of the protective glass 204, and the door opening button 210 may be exposed to the outside through the hole (not shown). The door opening button 210 may be provided in the door outer frame 240 for opening or closing the interior of the cabinet 100 using an electronic opening and closing system and may be exposed to the outside through a hole of the protective glass 204.

In addition, the door 200 may include a door opening unit 250 and a door hanging unit 260. The door opening unit 250 and the door hanging unit 260 may protrude rearward of the door inner frame 230 and may be in contact with and engaged with one side of the cover 300. Specifically, the door opening unit 250 serves as an opening/closing assistant and may have an elastic force. For example, the door opening unit 250 may include a spring and may act as a support for opening the door 200 through the elastic force of the spring. For example, when the door 200 is closed, the door opening unit 250 may be compressed and inserted into a groove (not shown) provided on one side of the cover 300. When the user operates the door opening button 210 to open the door 200, the door opening unit 250 may be released from one side of the cover 300, and may be in contact with the bottom surface of the groove (not shown) provided on one side of the cover 300 in a relaxed state. That is, a space is provided between the door 200 and the cover 300 by the relaxed length of the door opening unit 250, thereby preventing the door 200 from being automatically closed.

The door opening unit 250 may be a pusher stem assembly that may be supported by the spring and located within a guide structure formed in the door inner frame 230 or repeatedly perform projecting by a linear movement through a predetermined stroke range.

The door hanging unit 260 may be provided at a predetermined distance from the door opening unit 250 and may be provided in the shape of a hook partially protruding from the door inner frame 230. The protruding portion of the door hanging unit 260 may be coupled to a door lock unit 330 of the cover 300 to be described later, and thus the door 200 may be closed.

In summary, the door 200 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may be opened through a door opening button 210. When the user operates the door opening button 210, the door opening unit 250 and the door hanging unit 260 may be released from the cover 300 so that the door 200 may open the cover 300. In this case, the door opening unit 250 having an elastic force may be relaxed and provided on one side of the cover 300, and thus a predetermined gap is provided between the door 200 and the cover 300. Therefore the door 200 may be prevented from closing.

In addition, the user may close the door 200 by applying pressure to the door 200 toward the cover 300 side. To this end, the user may press one side of the outermost protective glass 204 of the door 200 so that the door opening unit 250 may be compressed and become received in the groove (not shown) of the cover 300 and the protruding portion of the door hanging unit 260 may be coupled to the door hanging unit 330 of the cover 300. That is, the door 200 may be opened and closed without a separate handle.

A center side of the door inner frame 230 and the door outer frame 240 may be opened and the door glass 280 may be provided at the opened center side. The door glass 280 allows the user to view the laundry inside the machine from the outside of the washing machine 10 and may be fitted to the door inner frame 230 and the door outer frame 240. In this case, the door glass 280 may be formed to protrude rearward, and the protruded side of the door glass 280 may be fitted to the opened side of the cover 300.

Meanwhile, the door 200 may be rotatably connected to the cover 300. The cover 300 is provided to enclose the front panel 400 and may include a laundry inlet 302 for loading the laundry, a detergent container loading port 304 for loading a detergent container 500, and a power processing unit 306 for controlling the button 102.

The user may load laundry through the laundry inlet 302. The laundry inlet 302 may be provided to have a predetermined diameter. In this case, the diameter of the laundry inlet 302 may correspond to the size of the protruding portion of the door glass 280. Thus, when the door 200 is closed, the door glass 280 may block the laundry inlet 302, and when the user opens the door 200, the door glass 280 is released from the laundry inlet 302 to allow laundry loading through the laundry inlet 302.

A detergent container loading port 304, which may load the detergent container 500, may be provided on the upper side of the laundry inlet 302. In this case, the detergent container loading port 304 may correspond to the shape of the detergent container 500.

The cover 300 may have a laundry inlet 302 at its center and may have a circular shape as a whole. Further, the cover 300 may be shaped such that one side protrudes downward. In this case, the power processing unit 306 may be provided in a protruding portion downward. The power processing unit 306 may be a PCB substrate connected to the power button 102 to control whether the power is turned on or off according to the operation of the power button 102 protruding from the outside of the case 100.

Meanwhile, the cover 300 may include a door hanging unit 330 located at a position corresponding to the other door hanging unit 260. The door hanging unit 330 is coupled to the hook-shaped door hanging unit 260 and may include a groove corresponding to the shape of the door hanging unit 260. Thus, as the door hanging unit 260 is coupled to the other door hanging unit 330, so that the door 200 may close the laundry inlet 302.

Also, the cover 300 may include a door hinge 360 at a location corresponding to the door hinge connection unit 232. The door hinge 360 may be opened while one side of the door 200 and one side of the cover 300 may be connected to each other, and the one side of the door hinge 360 may be received in the door hinge connection unit 232. Specifically, the door hinge 360 may be formed in a shape of a long curved panel in a vertical direction on one side of the laundry inlet 302, and may be partially protruded forward such that the door 200 may be rotated and connected to the door hinge connection unit 232. That is, the door 200 may be rotatable along the protruding portion in front of the door hinge 360.

Meanwhile, a front panel 400 may be provided on the rear surface of the cover 300. The front panel 400 may be coupled to the tub 700 and may include a shield unit 410 shielding a space between the drum 600 and the tub 700, a detergent container receiving unit 420 receiving the detergent container 500, a detergent container gasket 430 which provides a seal at a portion coupled with the detergent container 500, a fitting 440 for supplying water into the detergent container 500, a door gasket 450 which provides a seal at a portion in contact with the door 200, and a water supply valve assembly 480 for receiving wash water from an external water supplying source.

The shield unit 410 may shield a space generated between the drum 600 and the tub 700 and may have a shape corresponding to the shape of the cover 300. That is, it may have the same diameter as the cover 300 and have an opening corresponding to the laundry inlet 302 provided on the center side thereof. In this regard, the opening of the shield unit 410 may be smaller than the diameter of the drum 600, so that the space between the drum 600 and the tub 700 may be shielded.

The detergent container receiving unit 420 may be provided at one side of the shield unit 410 to receive the detergent container 500. The detergent container receiving unit 420 may have a shape corresponding to the shape of the detergent container 500 and may be in communication with the detergent container loading port 304 of the cover 300. That is, the detergent container 500 may be received in the detergent container receiving unit 420 via the detergent container loading port 304 of the cover 300.

The detergent container receiving unit 420 may include a detergent container gasket 430 that is pressurized by the detergent container 500. The detergent container gasket 430 may be disposed around the end of the detergent container receiving unit 420 to seal the detergent container 500 and may be composed of a rubber material. That is, the detergent, the conditioner, and the wash water supplied to the detergent container 500 are prevented from leaking to the outside through the detergent container gasket 430.

At least one fitting 440 may be provided on the top of the detergent container receiving unit 420. The fitting 440, which is connected to a water supply valve assembly 480 connected to an external water supply source, may supply the wash water into the detergent container 500. Thus, the wash water supplied to the drum 600 and the tub 700 may include the dissolved detergent or conditioner because the wash water is supplied into the drum 600 and the tub 700 through the detergent container 500.

Meanwhile, the opening of the shield unit 410 may include a door gasket 450 which is pressed by a door glass 280 of the door 200. The door gasket 450 may be disposed at the opening end of the shield unit 410 (for example, at the annular end of the opening) to hermetically fix the door glass 280, and it may be composed of a rubber material or the like. Thus, when the door 200 is closed, the door glass 280 penetrating the laundry inlet 302 of the cover 300 presses the door gasket 450, and therefore the wash water inside the drum 600 and the tub 700 will not leak outside the door 200.

The fitting 440 may be supplied with wash water through a water supply valve assembly 480. The water supply valve assembly 480 may be connected to an external water supply source and may selectively supply the wash water to the detergent container 550 through the fitting 440. The water supply valve assembly 480 may be a three-way valve and two of the supply flow paths extending from the water supply valve assembly 480 may be connected to the fitting 440 connected to the detergent container 500 and one of them may supply the wash water to the drum 600 directly through the door gasket 450.

The detergent container 500 may accommodate detergent and conditioner and may include a detergent container handle 502, a detergent input space 504 in which detergent is loaded, and a conditioner input space 506 in which a conditioner is loaded.

The detergent container handle 502 may protrude forward and may be exposed to the outside of the cover 300. The user thus may grasp the detergent container handle 502 after opening the door 200, allowing the detergent container 500 to be unloaded or inserted from the detergent container receiving unit 420. In this embodiment, although the detergent container handle 502 is extended in the vertical direction and provided at the center of the front surface of the detergent container 500, the detergent container handle 502 is not limited thereto. For example, the detergent container receiving unit 420 may be extended in the horizontal direction and provided on the front surface of the detergent container 500.

The detergent container 500 may be partitioned based on the center of the interior and include a detergent input space 504 and a conditioner input space 506 which may contain detergent and conditioner, respectively. In this connection, the fitting 440 may be arranged to correspond with the detergent input space 504 and the conditioner input space 506, and the detergent and conditioner in the detergent input space 504 and the conditioner input space 506 may be supplied with the wash water. Specifically, the user may draw the detergent container 500 from the detergent container receiving unit 420 after opening the door 200 and may fill detergent and conditioner into the detergent input space 504 and the conditioner input space 506, respectively. The detergent container 500 filled with the detergent and the conditioner may be inserted again into the detergent container receiving unit 420, and depending on the washing process, the detergent input space 504 and the conditioner input space 506 may be supplied with the wash water. Accordingly, the wash water including detergent or conditioner may be selectively supplied to the drum 600 and the tub 700.

Meanwhile, the front panel 400 may be connected to the drum 600. The drum 600 for receiving the laundry may include a drum inlet portion 610 on the front surface and a spider 680 on the rear surface. In this case, a plurality of holes may be formed around the drum 600 for fluid communication with the tub 700.

A drum inlet portion 610 may correspond to the opened portion of the shield unit 410. In this regard, the drum inlet portion 610 may have a diameter smaller than the entire diameter of the drum 600, and the drum inlet portion 610 may be fitted into the opened portion of the shield unit 410, so that front panel 400 and the drum 600 may be connected to each other. Thus, the laundry may be loaded into the drum 600 via the laundry inlet 302 of the cover 300 and the opened portion of the front panel 400.

The drum 600 may be rotated through a spider 680. The spider 680 may rotate in response to a driving force from a driving motor 910 (to be described later). The spider 680 may be separate from the drum 600 and also coupled to the rear surface of the drum 600. In this case, a groove corresponding to the shape of the spider 680 may be formed on the rear surface of the drum 600 so that the spider 680 may be seated.

The spider 680 may include a plurality of arms extending in different directions with a constant gap at the center. For example, the spider 680 may include an arm extending in three directions by a length corresponding to the radius of the drum 600, and each arm may be disposed at a 120-degree gap. Further, the center of the spider 680 may be fixed to a second pulley 914 (to be described later) through a drum rotation axis 916 to be described later, and thus both the drum 600 coupled to the spider 680 and the spider 680 may be rotated. A specific method of rotating the drum 600 will be described later.

A tub 700 in which the wash water is filled may be provided outside the drum 600. The tub 700 may have a shape corresponding to the drum 600 and may be formed with a diameter larger than a diameter of the drum 600 by a predetermined length. Accordingly, the tub 700 may be arranged apart from the drum 600 by a predetermined gap. In addition, the wash water supplied into the tub 700 may flow into the drum 600 through a plurality of holes formed around the drum 600. Similarly, the inner wash water of the drum 600 may flow into the tub 700 through the plurality of holes formed around the drum 600. In this regard, the drum 600 and the tub 700 may be provided in a cylindrical shape, but of course are not limited thereto.

Further, the tub 700 may include a heater 702 to heat the wash water. Specifically, a groove may be formed on the inner side of the tub 700 to receive the heater 702, and a heater 702 may be provided on the inner side of the tub 700 in a detachable manner. Thus, the heater 702 may heat the wash water filled in the tub 700.

Meanwhile, the tub 700 may be integrally provided with a rear panel 800. The rear panel 800 may be mounted on the wall and may include an anchor connection unit 802 to which an anchor (for mounting to the wall) is connected, a cabinet fixing unit 804 for fixing the cabinet 100, and a sensor 806 for detecting the water level.

Specifically, the tub 700 and the rear panel 800 may be integrally injection molded, and the tub 700 may protrude from the front of the rear panel 800. The rear surface of the rear panel 800 may be mounted on the wall via a separate anchor. The anchor may be coupled to the wall through an anchor connection unit 802 and may be provided on the rear surface of the rear panel 800 for stable engagement. That is, the plurality of anchors may mount the rear panel 800 on the wall. In this case, since the tub 700 and the rear panel 800 are integrally provided, a separate damper or an elastic member for supporting the tub 700 is not required. Consequently, the number of parts may be reduced, and the size of the washing machine 10 may be likewise reduced.

The cabinet 100 may be coupled to the front surface of the rear panel 800 where the tub 700 is provided to enclose the tub 700. In this case, a cabinet fixing unit 804 may be provided to have a stepped shape along the periphery of the rear panel 800, and the cabinet 100 may be fixed to the cabinet fixing unit 804. For this purpose, a fastening member such as a bolt may be used.

Also, the rear panel 800 may include a control unit 810 for controlling the overall functions of the wall mounted washing machine 10 and a drain unit 820 for discharging the wash water filled in the tub 700.

The control unit 810 may be provided on the front surface of the rear panel 800 to control various components of the wall mounted washing machine 10 depending on a user's operation to perform laundry washing. In this embodiment, while the control unit 810 is shown on the right side of the respect to tub 700, the position of the control unit 810 is not limited thereto.

A power supply line 904 may be connected to the external power source to supply power to the electric equipment, the control unit 810, the driving motor 910, and the like described above. The power supply line 904 may extend through the rear panel 800 to the front of the rear panel 800 and may extend outwardly from the rear of the rear panel 800. In this case, the power supply line 904 may be fixed to the rear surface of the rear panel 800 through a separate fixing means. As the power supply line 904 is provided extending outwardly from the rear surface of the rear panel 800, the washing machine 10 may have a finished or pleasing appearance.

The drain unit 820 may be provided under the rear panel 800. The drain unit 820 may discharge any wash water inside the tub 700 to the outside and may be disposed on the lower surface of the front surface of the rear panel 800. In this case, the drain unit 820 may include a drain pump for pressurizing the wash water and may be connected to the drain hose 902 to discharge the wash water. Specifically, the drain hose 902 is connected to the drain unit 820 and extends outward along the rear surface of the rear panel 800, so that the wash water may flow through the pressure of the drain unit 820. Thus, when the drain unit 820 is operated after the washing cycle is completed, the wash water may be discharged to the outside of the cabinet 100 through the drain hose 902 under the pressure change of the drain unit 820.

In addition, the rear panel 800 may include a plurality of rear surface ribs 860. The rear surface ribs 860 reinforce the strength of the rear panel 800 and may be disposed radially around the center of the rear surface of the rear panel 800. In this case, the rear surface ribs 860 may include first rear surface ribs 862 disposed on the outer peripheral side of the rear surface of the rear panel 800, second rear surface ribs 864 disposed on the center side of the rear surface of the rear panel 800, and third rear surface ribs 863 provided between the first rear surface ribs 862 and the second rear surface ribs 864 and having a relatively low height relative to the second rear surface ribs 864. Herein, the third rear surface ribs 863 may be disposed at a predetermined separation with respect to the ring portion 914 e to prevent interference or contact with the ring portion 914 e of the second pulley 914.

Specifically, the first rear surface ribs 862 may be provided on the outer peripheral side of the rear surface of the rear panel 800 and may be provided on positions corresponding to the outer peripheral side of the second pulley 914, That is, the first rear surface ribs 862 may be spaced and provided at a predetermined distance from the outer peripheral side of the second pulley 914.

The first rear surface ribs 862, the second rear surface ribs 864 and the third rear surface ribs 863 may make up a reinforcing structure protruding toward the rear surface of the rear panel 800 relative to a reference surface (not shown) on which the ribs 862, 863 and 864 are formed on the rear surface of the rear panel 800.

In this case, the second rear surface ribs 864 may be provided on the center side of the rear panel 800, which is the inner side of the first rear surface ribs 862. The second rear surface ribs 864 may have a relatively lower height than the first rear surface ribs 862. In addition, the third rear surface ribs 863 may have a relatively lower height than the second rear surface ribs 864.

Herein, the second rear surface ribs 864 may correspond to positions where the spoke 914 d of the second pulley 914 is installed. That is, the second rear surface ribs 864 may be provided on a center side of the rear surface of the rear panel 800. The spokes 914 d of the second pulley 914 may be spaced apart from the second rear surface ribs 864 by a predetermined distance.

Meanwhile, the third rear surface ribs 863 may correspond to a position where the ring portion 914 e of the second pulley 914 is installed. That is, the third rear surface ribs 863 may be provided at a position between the first rear surface ribs 862 and the second rear surface ribs 864 in the rear panel 800. The ring portion 914 e of the second pulley 914 may be spaced apart from the third rear surface ribs 863 by a predetermined distance.

Additionally, the rear panel 800 is provided with a driving motor 910 for generating a driving force. A motor body of the driving motor 910 is disposed on the front surface of the rear panel 800 with respect to the outside position of the tub 700 and the motor rotation shaft of the driving motor 910 extends toward the rear surface of the panel 800 through the panel hole (not shown).

The rear panel 800 includes a first pulley 912 connected to the motor rotation shaft of the driving motor 910, a second pulley 914 installed on a drum rotation shaft 916 for rotating the drum 600 spaced from the first pulley 912, and a belt 918 connecting the first pulley 912 and the second pulley 914 to one another for transmitting the driving force.

In addition, the rear panel 800 includes a drum rotation shaft 916 for rotating the drum 600. The one side end portion of the drum rotation shaft 916 is axially coupled to the second pulley 914 and the other end portion of the drum rotation shaft 916 is axially coupled to the spider 680 of the drum 600.

In addition, the rear panel 800 may include a bearing 917 that supports the rotation of the drum rotation shaft 916.

Specifically, the driving motor 910 may be provided on the front surface of the rear panel 800. The driving motor 910 may be controlled by the control unit 810 and may be provided on one side of the control unit 810 and the drain unit 820.

In this case, the motor rotation shaft of the driving motor 910 extends toward the rear surface of the rear panel 800 and is connected to the first pulley 912.

That is, the motor rotation shaft (not shown) of the driving motor 910 may be provided by penetrating the rear panel 800 in the rear surface direction of the rear panel 800, and the motor rotation shaft of the driving motor 910 may be connected to the first pulley 912 in the rear surface 800 of the rear panel 800.

The first pulley 912 may be connected to the second pulley 914 via a belt 918.

The second pulley 914 includes a hub 914 f used to wrap the drum rotation shaft 916 connected to the spider 680, connect a plurality of spokes 914 d extending radially from the hub 914 f, and support thereby a ring portion 914 e which connects the ends of the spokes 914 d in a circumferential direction. The outer surface of the ring portion 914 e may be further formed with a groove shape (not shown) for placing a belt 918 thereon.

The second pulley 914 includes pulley reinforcing ribs 914 a formed on the rear surfaces of the spokes 914 d for reinforcement. In this case, the front surfaces of the spokes 914 d toward the rear panel 800 are formed with smooth surfaces 914 g.

The second pulley 914 may include a coupling hole 914 b passing through the center of the hub 914 f for connection with the drum rotation shaft 916 and a fastening groove 914 c formed in the hub 914 f along the outer circumferential surface of the coupling hole 914 b.

Specifically, the front surfaces of the spokes 914 d of the second pulley 914 are formed of the smooth surfaces 914 g as described above, that is, in a flat shape, and may be spaced at a predetermined interval together with the second rear surface ribs 864.

The spokes 914 d of the second pulley 914 may be provided in a flat shape without having a forwardly curved form so that the drum rotation shaft 916 associated with the second pulley 914 may be positioned closer to the wall. Accordingly, the front surface of the rear panel 800 may also be positioned closer to the wall. That is, since the inner area between the rear panel 800 and the tub 700 is widened, the capacity of the drum 600 provided in the tub 700 may also be increased.

In addition, the second pulley 914 may not contact or interfere with the second rear surface ribs 864 or the third rear surface ribs 863.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 7, the spokes 914 d of the second pulley 914 have an asymmetrical cross-section. That is, in one embodiment, only the rear surfaces of the spokes 914 d of the second pulley 914 are formed with a pulley reinforcing ribs 914 a. On the other hand, only the smooth surfaces 914 g are formed on the front surfaces of the spokes 914 d of the second pulley 914 without separate pulley reinforcing ribs. Here, the front surfaces of the spokes 914 d refer to smooth surfaces 914 g facing the second rear surface ribs 864 or the third rear surface ribs 863 while maintaining a predetermined spacing.

Therefore, the second pulley 914 including the spokes 914 d does not directly contact the second rear surface ribs 864 or the third rear surface ribs 863 of the rear panel 800. That is, the second rear surface ribs 864 and the third rear surface ribs 863 may reinforce the structural rigidity of the rear panel 800, but may not affect the rotation of the second pulley 914.

The coupling hole 914 b may be formed in the center of the hub 914 f of the second pulley 914. The coupling hole 914 b may be a passage through which one side end portion of the drum rotation shaft 916 passes, and may be provided in a size corresponding to the diameter of the drum rotation shaft 916.

The end of one side end portion of the drum rotation shaft 916 passing through the coupling hole 914 b is attached to a fastening member 916 a (see FIG. 5) which provides connection thereof to the fastening hole.

The drum rotation shaft 916 may be coupled to the second pulley 914. For example, one side end portion of the drum rotation shaft 916 is inserted into the coupling hole 914 b of the second pulley 914. In this condition, the fastening member 916 a is fastened (e.g., threaded) to the coupling hole at the end of one side end portion of the drum rotation shaft 916. As a result, the head portion of the fastening member 916 a allows the peripheral portion of the coupling hole 914 b of the second pulley 914 to be brought into close contact toward (and fixed to) the inner ring side surface of the bearing 917 which is coupled to one side end portion of the drum rotation shaft 916.

In this case, the fastening groove 914 c may be provided at the periphery of the coupling hole 914 b of the second pulley 914 so that the head portion of the fastening member 916 a does not protrude out of the second pulley 914. The fastening groove 914 c is formed at the periphery of the coupling hole 914 b and may be a groove having a size corresponding to the head portion of the fastening member 916 a. For example, the fastening member 916 a may be a screw or bolt that fixes the drum rotation shaft 916 and the fastening groove 914 c may be a groove having a shape corresponding to the diameter of the head portion of the screw or bolt. Accordingly, when the drum rotation shaft 916 and the second pulley 914 are coupled through the screw or bolt, the head portion of the screw or bolt may be seated in the fastening groove 914 c and may not protrude out of the second pulley 914, such that the rear panel 800 may be coupled closer to the wall.

The drum rotation shaft 916 may be rotatably supported through the bearing 917. The bearing 917 may be insert injection-molded into the rear panel 800 and integrated with the rear panel 800, in one embodiment. The bearing 917 may include an inner ring portion which forms a hole corresponding to the diameter of the drum rotation shaft 916 at the center thereof, an outer ring portion integral with the rear panel 800, and a plurality of bearing balls between the inner shaft portion and the outer shaft portion. In this case, the front surface of the bearing 917 may be further provided with a water seal (not shown), which is a separate device to prevent foreign matter intrusion and can be act as a watertight sealing means. The water or moisture in the tub 700 will not leak to the outside through the micro gap between the outer circumferential surface of the drum rotation shaft 916 and the inner circumferential surface of the inner ring portion of the bearing 917.

In summary, when the wash water is filled in the tub 700 through the fitting 440, the control unit 810 may operate the driving motor 910. Subsequently, the first pulley 912 connected to the driving motor 910 may be rotated, and the second pulley 914 may be then rotated by the rotation of the first pulley 912. Thus, the drum rotation shaft 916 connected to the second pulley 914 may also rotate so that the drum 600 may be rotated inside the cabinet 100 and the tub 700. Consequently, the laundry inside the drum 600 may be washed.

On the other hand, the rear panel 800 may further include an exhaust line 920. The exhaust line 920 may be connected to the drain unit 820 and may exhaust air inside the tub 700 and the drain unit 820. Specifically, the exhaust line 920 may be connected to the drain hose 902 and pass through the rear panel 800, through which it may extend to the rear surface of the rear panel 800 and be exhausted to the outside.

The wall-mounted washing machine 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be used as follows.

First, the user may open the door 200, and may load the laundry inside the drum 600 and unload the detergent container 500 from the front panel 400. In this case, the detergent container 500 is divided in the center, so that a space for loading detergent and conditioner, respectively, may be provided.

After inserting the detergent container 500 loaded with the detergent and conditioner back into the front panel 400, the user may close the door 200 and control the laundry operation via the power button 102 and the display 202. When the washing cycle is started, the wash water provided from an external water supplying source through the water supply valve assembly 480 may be supplied to the detergent container 500 through the fitting 440, and the wash water may be supplied into the drum 600 and tub 700 after passing the detergent input space 504 and the conditioner input space 506. That is, the wash water filled in the drum 600 and the tub 700 may optionally include detergent and conditioner.

When the tub 700 is fully filed with the wash water, the control unit 810 may drive the driving motor 910. In this case, the driving motor 910 may be connected to the first pulley 912 and the second pulley 914, and the second pulley 914 may be connected to the drum 600 through the drum rotation shaft 916. Thus, the drum 600 may be rotated through the driving motor 910. Consequently, the laundry loaded in the drum 600 may be easily washed by the rotation of the drum 600.

In this case, the second pulley 914 may be provided in a flat shape. Specifically, the second pulley 914 may be disposed at a predetermined separation on the rear surface of the rear panel 800, and may be rotatably coupled through a drum rotation shaft 916

The rear panel 800 may include the first rear surface ribs 862 and the second rear surface ribs 864 on the rear surface thereof, and the second pulley 914 may be provided at a predetermined separation at positions corresponding to the second rear surface ribs 864 or the third rear surface ribs 864. In this case, the spokes 914 d of the second pulley 914 (located in the direction viewed from the second rear surface ribs 864) are provided in the flat form, whereby the drum rotation shaft 916, which is coupled with the second pulley 914, may also be disposed close to the wall. The bearing 917 supporting the drum rotation shaft 916 may also be disposed close to the wall. Therefore, since the rear panel 800 formed integrally with the bearing 917 may be disposed close to the wall, the drum 600 disposed in the rear panel 800 may be positioned more behind than in the prior art. That is, the wall-mounted washing machine provides an advantage in providing increased capacity of the drum 600.

As described above, in the wall-mounted washing machine according to the embodiments of the disclosure, there is an advantage in that the internal capacity of the drum may be increased while maintaining the overall size.

As set forth above, while the present disclosure has been described in connection with a wall mounted washing machine and a rear panel thereof, it is merely an example and the present disclosure is not limited thereto. It should be construed that the present disclosure has the widest range in compliance with the basic idea disclosed in the disclosure. Although it is possible for those skilled in the art to combine and substitute the disclosed embodiments to embody the other types that are not specifically disclosed in the disclosure, they do not depart from the scope of the present disclosure as well. In addition, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes may be made with respect to the disclosed embodiments based on the disclosure in easy and these changes and modifications also fall within the scope of the present disclosure. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A washing machine comprising: a rear panel operable to be mounted on a wall; a tub supported on the rear panel, the tub operable to contain wash water; a front panel having an opening formed therein and installed in the tub; a drum coupled in the tub and operable to rotate therein; a cover on the front panel and covering the front panel; a door coupled to the cover and operable to selectively open and close a laundry inlet of the cover; a cabinet coupled to the rear panel and surrounding the tub; a driving motor disposed on a front surface of the rear panel; a first pulley coupled to the driving motor; and a second pulley coupled through a belt to the first pulley and comprising spokes of a flat shape.
 2. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the rear panel comprises a plurality of rear surface ribs on a rear surface thereof, wherein the rear surface ribs comprise: first rear surface ribs disposed on an outer circumferential side; and a plurality of second rear surface ribs of lower height than the first rear surface ribs and disposed on a center side of the rear surface of the rear panel.
 3. The washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the rear surface ribs comprise third rear surface ribs disposed between the first rear surface ribs and the second rear surface rib and having a height that is relatively lower than a height of the second rear surface ribs.
 4. The washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the second pulley comprises: a hub disposed to surround a drum rotation shaft coupled to a spider on a rear surface of the drum; a plurality of spokes extending radially from the hub; and a ring portion connecting ends of the plurality of spokes in the circumferential direction.
 5. The washing machine according to claim 4, wherein the plurality of spokes of the second pulley comprises: a plurality of pulley reinforcing ribs on a rear surface of the plurality spokes; and smooth surfaces formed on front surfaces of the plurality of spokes.
 6. The washing machine according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of spokes is formed with an asymmetrical cross section by the plurality of reinforcing ribs and the smooth surfaces.
 7. The washing machine according to claim 6, wherein the smooth surfaces of the spokes are disposed on positions corresponding to the second rear surface ribs and spaced apart, and the second rear surface ribs are not in contact with the smooth surfaces of the front surfaces of the plurality of spokes of the second pulley.
 8. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the second pulley comprises: a coupling hole coupled to the drum rotation shaft which is operable for rotating the drum; a fastening member adapted for fixing the drum rotation shaft and the second pulley to each other; and a fastening groove disposed on a peripheral portion of the coupling hole and on which a head portion of the fastening member is seated.
 9. The washing machine according to claim 8, wherein the fastening member does not protrude out of the second pulley.
 10. The washing machine according to claim 1, further comprising a bearing pivotally supported to rotate the drum rotation shaft for rotating the drum and wherein the bearing is insert injection-molded on the rear panel and integrally provided therewith.
 11. A rear panel of a wall mounted washing machine having a tub on its front surface for containing wash water, the rear panel comprising: a driving motor on the front surface operable to provide a driving force; a plurality of rear surface ribs on a rear surface thereof; and a pulley operable to receive the driving force from the driving motor through another pulley and a belt, wherein the plurality of rear surface ribs comprises: a plurality of first rear surface ribs provided at a same height; and a plurality of second rear surface ribs protruding at a relatively lower to same height than the first rear surface ribs, and wherein spokes of the pulley are provided at positions corresponding to the second rear surface ribs.
 12. The rear panel according to claim 11, wherein the first rear surface ribs are located on an outer peripheral side of a rear surface of the rear panel and the second rear surface ribs are located on a center side of the rear surface of the rear panel which is an inner side of the first rear surface ribs.
 13. The rear panel according to claim 12, wherein the pulley comprises a plurality of pulley reinforcing ribs on rear surfaces of the spokes, and wherein front surfaces of the spokes of the pulley are not in contact with the second rear surface ribs.
 14. The rear panel according to claim 11, wherein the pulley is coupled to a drum rotation shaft of the drum, wherein the drum rotation shaft is supported on the rear panel to be rotatable through a bearing, and wherein further the bearing is insert injection molded on the rear panel.
 15. The rear panel according to claim 14, wherein the pulley comprises: a coupling hole passing through a center of the hub of the drum rotation shaft for connection with the drum rotation shaft; a fastening member adapted for securing the hub of the pulley to the drum rotation shaft; and a fastening groove provided at the periphery of the coupling hole and on which the head portion of the fastening member is seated.
 16. The rear panel according to claim 15, wherein the fastening member does not protrude out of the pulley. 